Did EPA Fracking Study Hit the Mark?

Posted:
Friday, June 5, 2015 7:12 PM EDT

A new EPA study on fracking has those on both sides of the debate digesting the findings.

According to a draft assessment by the agency while fracking procedures have been carried out in a way that have not led to widespread, systemic impacts on drinking water resources, there are potential vulnerabilities in the water lifecycle that could impact drinking water. These vulnerabilities include: water withdrawals in areas with low water availability, inadequately cased or cemented wells resulting in below ground migration of gases and liquids, and inadequately treated wastewater discharged into drinking water resources.

Fracking opponents say the study was incomplete since it didn't include data from New York. Those in favor of the practice say the study shows fracking can be done safely.

"We hope that New York will start to look at studies like this and understand that the prevailing view in this nation and around the country and federal government is that this can be done safely," said Scott Kurkoski, attorney for the Joint Landowners Coalition of New York.

"The Department of Environmental Conservation and local county health authorities in Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, and Allegheny Counties had documented extensive drinking water impacts associated with oil and gas extraction," said Walter Hang, President of Toxics Targeting.